Born in Iran in the 1970s, Sammy grew up in a thriving Jewish community in Shiraz during the final years of the Shah's rule. But when the Islamic Revolution erupted, everything changed overnight. In this powerful conversation, he recounts what it was like as a child sensing the fear around him, hearing crowds chanting from rooftops, and eventually fleeing the country with his family. He shares the emotional memories of leaving Iran, the danger many Jews faced trying to escape, and why thousands of Jews still remain there today despite the risks. Sammy's story doesn't end with survival, it becomes a story of rebuilding. After arriving in America without speaking English, he eventually rose to an extraordinary career in finance while rediscovering his Jewish identity along the way. He opens up about assimilation, marrying his wife during her conversion process, the questions about faith that changed his life, and how Judaism ultimately gave him purpose, community, and meaning. From escaping a revolution to navigating faith, success, and responsibility, this episode is a remarkable journey of resilience, identity, and gratitude.   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals   Download the app and never pay full price again!   https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp      ► Colel Chabad Pushka App   The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Givat Hashalva   Givat Hashalvah is a new, vibrant, Torah-centered community rising in Givat Ze'ev, only 20 minutes from the heart of Yerushalayim.   https://go.lyo.group/4rAkXCN     ► Ness Vacation Homes   EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION  Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness. OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE  Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.   https://nessvacationhomes.com/     ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH     ► Town Appliance   Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp   https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp  

This episode of the Meaningful People Podcast features Dovi Neuburger, a popular comedian and influencer who grew up as the son of a prominent rabbi and built his brand by poking at the frum world from the inside. In this conversation, he opens up about guilt over influencing younger followers, using religious culture as comedy material, and whether Jewish "inspiration" today is actually inspiration or just kosher entertainment. He challenges institutions, questions tuition, takes aim at the over-correction of emotional Judaism, and doesn't shy away from uncomfortable debates about shidduchim, schools, and community politics    It's funny, sharp, and at times confrontational. From Rabbi's son stereotypes to anti-Semitism content, from Thank You Hashem culture to whether kids should ever be thrown out of yeshiva, this episode doesn't tiptoe around anything. This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals   Download the app and never pay full price again!   https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp      ► Colel Chabad Pushka App   The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Batya Kitchen   150+ Gluten-Free, Non-Gebrokts Recipes, Make-Ahead Tips, Holiday Guides, and Everything You Need for a Calm, Beautiful Pesach. Order now on Amazon.   https://amzn.to/4a1S1x7     ► Ness Vacation Homes   EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION  Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness. OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE  Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.   https://nessvacationhomes.com/     ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH     ► Town Appliance   Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp   https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp   

In this deeply personal episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, Sruli Stern shares the hidden double life he lived for years as a compulsive gambler. From a childhood scratch-off card to high-stakes nights in Atlantic City, Sruli walks listeners through the slow escalation of an addiction that hijacked his logic, strained his marriage, buried him in debt, and nearly cost him everything. With raw honesty, he describes the lies, the rationalizations, the spiritual confusion, and the crushing moment when he lost his family's rent money and considered crashing his car rather than face the truth. What follows is a powerful story of rock bottom, confession, and recovery. Sruli opens up about coming clean to his wife, walking into his first Gamblers Anonymous meeting, rebuilding trust one step at a time, and confronting the deeper pain that fueled his addiction in the first place. This episode is not just about gambling, it is about accountability, faith, marriage, and the courage to change. Whether you have struggled personally or love someone who has, this conversation sheds light on a silent battle affecting more people than we realize and offers real hope that recovery is possible.   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals   Download the app and never pay full price again!   https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp      ► Colel Chabad Pushka App   The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Ness Vacation Homes   EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION  Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness. OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE  Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.   https://nessvacationhomes.com/     ► Wruble & Co   Exceptional legal service starts with a genuine personal connection. We deliver clear, efficient, results-driven legal counsel in Israeli real estate, always guided by the client's individual needs. Through transparency, care, and clarity, we support confident decision-making at every step.   https://www.wrublelaw.co.il/     ► Givat Hashalva   Givat Hashalvah is a new, vibrant, Torah-centered community rising in Givat Ze'ev, only 20 minutes from the heart of Yerushalayim.   https://go.lyo.group/4rAkXCN     ► Ziltch   Stop paying credit card interest right now🛑 Now only $500, option of zero down🔥   516 441 2418 [email protected]   https://wa.link/y7m0zi     ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH     ► Town Appliance   Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp   https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp      ► Join Meaningful Minute on WhatsApp!   https://chat.whatsapp.com/FXkBN7IkceTJh0f4FISOf5     ► We Don't Gamble   Real success isn't hitting a parlay. It's walking away from insane social norms.    We Don't Gamble is a movement to step back from online and app-based betting and reclaim our standards as a community.   Abstaining from detrimental behaviors isn't simply avoidance. It's an identity of strength.  Let's raise the standard.   https://wedontgamble.com    

In this powerful and emotional conversation, Jewish music icon Yaakov Shwekey opens up about the evolution of Jewish music, the responsibility of an artist, and the deeply personal moments that shaped his life and career. From unforgettable camp memories and behind-the-scenes studio stories to the creation of his upcoming massive Shabbos project, Shwekey reflects on legacy, inspiration, and the transformative power of music. He shares raw stories about loss, fatherhood, kindness, and how music can lift broken hearts—from hospital rooms in Israel to Shabbos tables around the world. Music producer Donny Gross joins to give a rare inside look at the creative process behind their most ambitious project yet: a multi-hour Shabbos experience meant to reconnect families to song, tradition, and joy. If you love Jewish music, appreciate authenticity, or just need a dose of inspiration—this episode is for you.   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:   ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp   ►Blooms Kosher   Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide.   https://bloomskosher.com     ►Banana Blast Rentals   Bringing exciting entertainment for all your occasions. https://bananablasts.com https://wa.link/i4qlgh   ► The Kichel Collection It's here just in time for Chanukah🥳 The Kichel Collection 5! Available at your favorite Judaica store  or get it here! 👇 Feldheim(20% off Chanukah Sale!): https://feldheim.com/the-kichel-collection-5   Amazon: https://a.co/d/7gGIVoJ   ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Lalechet     We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish.    https://www.lalechet.com   ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years!   Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH   ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp     https://www.townappliance.com     https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp    ►  ReKindle   This film presents the powerful, deeply personal accounts of two survivors of the Café Rimon double suicide bombing in Jerusalem. This documentary is a tribute to the lives lost, the resilience of those who survived, and the enduring human capacity to rebuild—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through Nochi Krohn's and Ovadia Waxler's story, viewers witness the lasting impact of terror and the extraordinary strength required to keep choosing life, day after day. Exclusively available via Meaningful Minute Plus: https://plus.meaningfulminute.org/programs/rekindle-black-firday-teaser-website-fd8c10

In this episode of Meaningful People, we sit down with Rabbi Avi Landa, LCPC, Mashgiach at the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore Middle School, Director of Education for Amudim, and Director of the Landa Counseling Center, to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing children and teens today: bullying. Drawing on his work in schools, private practice, and prevention programs worldwide, Rabbi Landa breaks down what bullying actually is (and isn't), why simplistic zero-tolerance approaches often fail, and how power dynamics and repeated behavior can deeply impact a child's sense of self. The conversation moves from theory to real, practical guidance for parents, educators, and communities: how to respond when your child is being bullied, when your child is the bully, and how empathy-driven intervention and education can genuinely change outcomes. We also explore the broader role of social-emotional learning in building healthier schools and safer communities. Landa Counseling Center: https://www.landacc.comAmudim: https://www.amudim.orgDarcheinu SEL Curriculum: https://www.darcheinu.orgOurPath SEL: https://www.ourpathsel.org   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals   Download the app and never pay full price again!   https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp      ► Colel Chabad Pushka App   The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Ness Vacation Homes   EDEN GARDENS' LARGEST LUXURY HOME COLLECTION  Handpicked, high-end homes available exclusively through Ness. OPTIONAL PROGRAM-LEVEL PESACH EXPERIENCE  Upgrade your stay with a complete A–Z Pesach setup, including kitchen preparation, catered meals, and fully arranged details by Glatt Gourmet.   https://nessvacationhomes.com/     ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH     ► Town Appliance   Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp   https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp      ► Pesach with Bordeaux    Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year This year, experience true relaxation, where every detail is taken care of. Rooms are filling quickly, don't wait!   Mention Meaningful Minute for a special deal!   Call/Text: 347-699-6120 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com   Chat with us on WhatsApp! https://wa.me/13476996120  

In this powerful episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, we sit down with Miriam Greenwald and later with Rabbi Ken Greenwald to reflect on the life, legacy, and impact of Ronnie Greenwald z"l, a man who quietly changed the lives of thousands.   From building Camp Sternberg into a haven for kids who didn't fit the mold, to negotiating on behalf of Jews imprisoned behind the Iron Curtain and in hostile regimes, this conversation reveals the heart, courage, and relentless compassion behind the legend. We talk about marriage, parenting, leadership, faith, forgiveness, and what it truly means to never give up on a person.   This is not just a story about accomplishments, it's a masterclass in loving Jews, believing in people, and living with purpose   Explore more of Rabbi Greenwald's legacy and work:   Rabbi Greenwald's Yeshiva: https://www.yeshivatiferet.com/ Rabbi Greenwald's Chinuch Podcast: https://youtu.be/eaLRIKAea5k Rabbi Greenwald's Biography: https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422645352.html This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ► PZ Deals   Download the app and never pay full price again!   https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp      ► Arkia   Fly smarter with Arkia, Israel's trusted airline for easy, reliable flights across Israel and to top international destinations. Book your next trip and travel with comfort and convenience:   https://www.arkia.com/en/content/about-arkia     ► Colel Chabad Pushka App   The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Dream Raffle   Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim!  Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets!   https://thedreamraffle.com/      ► Pesach with Bordeaux    Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year This year, experience true relaxation, where every detail is taken care of. Rooms are filling quickly, don't wait!   Call/Text: 347-699-6120 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com   Chat with us on WhatsApp! https://wa.me/13476996120     ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH     ► Town Appliance   Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp   https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp